For the second time in two years, the MTA has redesigned its homepage. In an effort to simplify the amount of information on its public landing page and better present customers with directions, service alerts and useful transit apps, the authority has just flipped the switch on a simplified design that borrows from transit agencies across the country and world. For a peak at the new site, check out MTA.info.
“Despite last year’s complete overhaul of our website, there was still room for improvement,” MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder said in a statement. “Today’s redesign improves further on the customer experience, adding new features and making it even easier to get real-time service information and easy-to-use travel planning.”
The website, which the MTA says was created and built in house, features a “new minimalistic design” that is “better organized and geared toward enabling customers to quickly identify the information they need.” With the new look comes some new functionality as well. The MTA has unveiled an App Center that highlights third-party transit-related apps for iPhone, Android and other mobile platforms. The new Innovation section has been designed to showcase technological improvements that improve customer service. Here, the MTA has given customers the ability to comment on these changes as well.
Finally, an enhanced Trip Planner Plus creates what the authority calls “a truly regional trip planner for the first time.” Users will receive directions for Metro-North and the LIRR as well as subways and buses, and these directions will incorporate planned service changes.
Following the debut of its January 2010 redesign, the MTA saw web traffic increase by nearly 65 percent on a daily basis. If the new redesign is a success, if information is better presented and easy to find, the authority will likely continue to see an increase in use. It is, after all, completely about customer service and putting the best face forward.
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